Defibrillator installed in local mens shed following GoFundMe success

A defibrillator has been installed in Tullamore Men's Shed following recent fundraising efforts by an Offaly family.

After a near tragedy when her father's heart stopped while spending time at Tullamore Men's Shed, Tullamore woman Erica Prendergast set up a GoFundMe to raise money for a defibrillator for the local group.

Erica's father Tom enjoys going to the men's shed and was there on Tuesday, April 11 when he collapsed and his heart stopped. A woman who was nearby managed to perform CPR on Tom until the ambulance arrived and they used a defibrillator to save him.

The new defibrillator was officially opened at a ceremony held in Tullamore Men's Shed last month.

Speaking about the success of the fundraiser, Erica said: “We raised over €1,450 for the defibrillator. The formal ceremony was held last month in the mens shed where we presented the men with it. It was a lovely ceremony with Lorraine Wynn, the lady who saved our Dad attending.

She continued: “Unfortunately, our Dad couldn't be there as he was getting his own internal defibrillator fitted in St James the exact same day. The men were delighted and they got a first aid kit and their first aid training last Friday )May 5) so now we know our men in the Tullamore Mens Shed are a little safer. Hopefully it will never have to be used but if so we have given them a good start if anyone needs it.”

Erica also thanked everyone who donated to the GoFundMe page for Tullamore Mens Shed and said they were “very grateful” to have received the funds so quickly. She also thanked Jim M Par for teaching the men the first aid.